Fruit-picker.



. PATENTED JUNE 6, 1905. 0. LARDNBR. I FRUIT PICKER. APPLICATION FILEDOUT. 29, 1904.

2 8HEETSSHEET 1.

' PATBNTED JUNE 6, 1905. U. LARDNER.

FRUIT PIGKER. APPLICATION FILEDVOOZT. 29, 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ybwawesv y '1 HLLM Patented June 6,1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES LARDNER, F BUFFALO, NEW YORK;

FRUIT-PICKER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 791,704, dated J une.6, 1905.

Application filed October 29, 1904.. Serial No. 230,569.

1'0 all whom it may concern.

Be it known that 1, CHARLES LARDNER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Fruit-Pickers, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to fruit-pickers; and its primary object is toproduce an .extensible fruit-picker providing means for depositing thefruit in a receptacle held to the lower end of the picker.

Other objects are to provide a picker having a staff which can beextended within reasonable limits and retain operative connection at thelower end of the stafl with the cutter at the upper end of the same,whereby said out ter may be as conveniently operated when the I deviceis extended as when collapsed; to provide an operating-cord having itsupper end connected to the cutter to actuate the same and its lower endsecured to a reel which is spring-controlled to-hold said cord taut atall times and which serves to pay out the'cord as may be needed inextending the staff; to provide a hollow staff consisting of a pluralityof tubular telescopic sections and an adjusts ing-cord for projectingthe inner section or' sections and for telescoplng or drawing thesamein; to provide suitable means for operating the said cord, and tootherwise improve on fruit-pickers now in use, as will appearhereinafter.

The invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and combinationof parts to be hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out inthe appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of my improvedfruit-picker, showing the manner in which it is used. Fig. 2 is aperspective View of the fruit bag or receptacle adapted to be attachedto the lower end of the hollow telescopic staff. Fig. 3 is an enlargedplan view of the device in collapsed condition. Fig. 4 is an enlargedside elevation of the device in collapsed condition. Fig. 5 is anelevation of the device extended and broken. Fig. 6 is a longitudinalsection on line 6 6, Fig. 5, Fig. 7 is a still further enlarged view ofthe cutter and adjacent part of the staff,

12 12, Fig. 5.

- through the same. of cylindrical form, and the outer section,

showing the parts of the cutter in their normal positions. Fig. 8 is asimilar View showing the cutter actuated. Fig. 9 is an end view of thecutter. Fig. 10 is a cross-section through the cutter, takeri on line 1010, Fig. 7. Fig. 11 is an enlarged cross-section of the staff, taken online 11 11, Fig. 5. Fig. 12 is an enlarged cross-section of the staff,taken on line Fig. 13 is an enlarged longitudinal section taken on line13 13, Fig. 5.

Fig. 14: is a central longitudinal section- I have ascertained thatthree sections will provide suflicient extension to reach to the top ofordinary fruit-trees and when collapsed will be of a convenient size forcarrying and storage. The diameter of these sections may obviously vary,depending on the use it is to be put to, large fruit of coursenecessitating the use of larger tubes than small fruit; but for generaluse the tubes are of a size to freely allow the passage of apples andlike fruit Each section is preferably which is also the lowest section,is provided with a longitudinal rectangular extension 22, forming alongitudinal inner groove 23, in which sheave-brackets 24 are free totravel, said brackets being aflixed to opposite ends of the intermediatesection and each having a, cord-sheave 25, adapted to revolve on a pin26, extending through the bracket and arranged axially with reference tothe stafi'. The intermediate section is provided with a longitudinalopening or slot 27, extending from bracket tobracket, and on the innerend of the inner or uppermost section is an eye 28, which extendsthrough said slot and is guided therein on movement of the inner sectionwithin the intermediate section.

the upper end of the outer or lower section'is an opening 29, covered bya bracket 30, hav- Near TOO

ing a cord-sheave 31 therein, which is revoluble on a pin 32, extendingthrough said bracket at a right angle to the pins 26, on which thecord-sheaves of the intermediate section revolve.

Secured to a shaft 33, revolubly mounted on-the outer or lower sectionin any suitable manner, is an adjusting-reel 34, provided with a notchedflange 35, adapted to be engaged by a spring or spring-controlled pawl36, serving to hold the reel against revolving. An adjusting-cord 37 hasone of its ends secured to said reel and its other end attached to theeye 28 at the inner end of the inner section. From the latter point thecord is directed upward around the sheave at the upper end of theintermediate section, then down to and around the sheave at the lowerend of said intermediate section, thence around the sheave at the upperend of the outer section, and finally to and around the cord-adjustingreel 34, to which one end is attached, as stated. Thus it is apparentthat on revolving the reel 34 in one direction after releasing the pawl36 the intermediate section is drawn out of the outer section with theinner section therein until the sheave at the lower end of theintermediate section is broughtin rear of the sheave on the outersection, after which the cord continues to travel over the severalsheaves to draw the inner or uppermost section out of the projectedintermediate section to the desired extent. Obviously the extension maybe confined to the intermediate section without causing the withdrawalof the inner section, and whatever the extent of extension the parts arelocked in position by the pawl 36 engaging the notched flange of thereel.

A rotary cutter 38 is aflixed to the outer end of the inner section andcomprises an inner member 39 and an outer member 40. The inner member ofthe cutter is fixed to said inner section and comprises a cylindricalsecuring portion 41, fitting onto the end of the inner section and beingsecured thereto by a rivet 42, and an enlarged shearing portion 43,having a circular series of V-shaped notches 44. The movable membersurrounds said shearing portion of the fixed member and is provided witha corresponding series of V- shaped notches 45, normally held toregister with the notches in the fixed member. An annular space 46 isprovided between both members of the cutter, in which a helical spring47 is located, having one end thereof secured to the fixed member andits other end secured to the movable member, serving at all times tohold said movable member in its normal position, so that the notches inboth members register. The outer member of the cutter is provided with aslot 48, through which an eye 49 projects, which is secured to the innermember of the cutter. A bell-crank lever 50 is pivotally connected tothe outer member of the cutter and has one arm thereof extending throughsaid eye. To the other arm of said bell-crank lever one end of anoperatingcord 51 is secured, which cord extends along the telescopicsections and has its other end secured to an operating-reel 52,yieldingly secured to the shaft 33, on which the reel 34 is secured. Thereel 52 is hollow and has its ends 53 loosely fitting the shaft, with aspiral spring 54 surrounding the shaft and having one end thereofsecured to the same and its other end secured to one end of the reel.The operating-cord 51 is wound around the reel 52 in a directionopposite that in which the adjusting-cord is wound around the reel 34,and therefore when one cord is being wound up the other cord is beingpaid out. The spring 54, by reason of its tendency to unwind, holds theoperating-cord 51 taut at all times, and as this spring is of less power.than the helical spring 47 in the cutter the bell-crank lever is not inthe least affected thereby.

On operating the device the cutter is directed to the fruit, which isconfined therein with the stem thereof lying in two registering notches,and on a slight pull of the operating-cord the outer member of thecutter is revolved and severs the fruit from the tree, which then dropsthrough the hollow stafl' and into a fruit bag or receptacle 55,fastened to the lower end of the staff. The fruit-bag is preferably madeof drilling or other suitable fabric or material and consists of a bodyportion 56, open at the top, as at 57, and having a shoulder-strap 58for convenience in carrying the same and a sleeve extension or neck 59opening into the body portion at one side thereof and adistance abovethe lower end of the same. Said sleeve extension has secured to itsouter end a thimble 60, having a rectangular longitudinal extension 61,corresponding with the longitudinal extension on the outer section ofthe staff, thus forming a thimble adapted to fit over the lower end ofthe stafl This thimble is provided with a spring-catch 62, having aninwardlyprojecting pin 63 extending into an opening in the outer sectionof the staff, by means of which the fruit-bag is held against accidentaldetachment from the staff. The sleeve extension of the fruit-bag is ofsufiicient length to hang in a loose condition to provide a curvedportion 64, into which the fruit drops as it passes through the stafi,thereby preventing its becoming bruised by violent contact with thefruit in the bag. After the fruit has lodged in the curved portion 64 ofthe sleeve extension it may be deposited in the bag proper by raisingthe said curved portion iufiiciently to permit the fruit to roll intothe Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In afruit-picker, the combination of a hollow telescopic staff, a cutter atthe upper end of'said staff, means for extending and telescoping saidstaff, means within reach of the operator for actuating said cutter, andafruitreceptacle afiixed to the lower end of the staff for the receptionof the fruit passing through reel and its other end to the lower end ofthe inner section, and a cutter secured to the upper end of the innersection.

3. In a fruit-picker, the combination of a hollow telescopic staffcomprising an outer section, an inner section and an intermediatesection, the outer sectionihaving a sheave at its upper end, and theintermediate section having a sheave at each end, a reel secured to thelower end of the outer section, a cord having one end thereof secured'tosaid reel, and passing from thence over the sheave at the upper end ofthe outer section, thence around the sheaves at the ends of theintermediate section, and having its other end secured to the lower endof the inner section, a cutter at the upper end of the inner section,and means for operating said cutter.

4. In a fruit-picker, the combination of a' hollow telescopic staffcomprising an outer section, an inner section, and an intermediatesection, the intermediate section having a sheave at each end revolubleon axially-arranged pins, and the outer section having a sheave at itsupper end revoluble on a pin arranged at a right angle to thefirst-mentioned pins, a reel secured to the lower end of the outersection, a cord passing over the sheaves above mentioned and having oneend secured to said reel and its other end secured to the lower end ofthe inner section, a cutter at the upper end of the inner section, andmeans for operating said cutter.

5. In a fruit-picker, the combination of a hollow telescopic staficomprising an outer section having a sheave at its upper end and alongitudinal rectangular extension forming a groove therein, anintermediate section having a sheave at each end and a longitudinal slotextending from sheave to sheave, and an inner section having an eye atits lower end extending through said slot, a cord passing over thesheaves on the outer and intermediate sections and having one endthereof secured to said eye, a reel affixed to the outer section towhich the other end of said cord is secured, a cutter at the upper endof the inner section, and means for actuating said cutter.

comprising a cylindrical fixed member and a movable member surroundingsaid fixed member, said members 'having registering V- shaped notches intheirv edges, a convolute spring between said members having one endsecured to the fixed member and its other end secured to the movablemember, said spring serving to hold the notches in registration, andmeans for actuating the movable member.

7. In a fruit-picker, the combination of a hollow stafl, a cuttersecured to said staff and comprising a cylindrical fixed member and amovable member surrounding said fixed mem-[ her, said members havingregistering V' shaped notches in their edges, and the movable memberhavinga slot formed therein, an eye secured to the fixed member andextending through said slot, a bell-crank lever pivoted to the movablemember and having one arm thereof extending through said eye, an

said staff and a movable member surrounding said fixed member and havinga slot therein, said members having registering V-shaped notches intheir edges, an eye secured to the fixed member and extending throughsaid slot, a bell-crank lever pivoted to the movable member and havingone arm thereof extending through said eye, a spring between the membersof the cutter having one end thereof secured to the fixed member and itsother end secured to the movable member, an operating-cord having oneend thereof secured to the free end of the bell-crank lever, and a reelaffixed to the lower end of the staff and to the cutter and its otherend attached to said reel.

10. In a fruit-picker, the combination of a telescopic staff, a cutterat the upper end of said staff, a reel at the lower end of said staff,an operating-cord having one end attached to said cutter and its otherend attached to the reel, and means for holding said operatingcord taut.

11. In a fruit-picker, the combination ofa telescopic staff, a cutter atthe upper end of said staff, a shaft journaled on the lower end of saidstaff, a hollow reel held loosely on said shaft, a spiral springsurrounding said shaft and having one end thereof afiixed thereto andits other end affixed to the reel, an operhollow telescopic staffcomprising an outer ating-cord having its ends secured to said reel andthe cutter, respectively, and means for extending and telescoping thestaff.

12. In a fruit-picker, the combination of a telescopic staff, a cutterat the upper end of said staff, a shaft journaled on the lower end ofthe staff, a reel secured to said shaft, an ad justing-cord having oneend thereof secured to said reel and its other end secured to the innermember of the staff to project the same, a second reel loosely mountedon said shaft, a spiral spring surrounding said shaft and having one endthereof aflixed thereto and its other end aflixed to the second reel,and an operating-cord having its ends secured to said second reel andthe cutter, respectively.

13. In a fruit-picker, the combination of a member having a sheave atits upper end and an inner member, a cutter at the upper end of theinner member, an operating-cord having one end thereof attached to thecutter, an adjusting-cord passing over the sheave on the outer memberand having one end thereof secured to the lower end of the inner member,and a reel around which said cords are wound, said cords being soarranged on the reel that one cord is paid out while the other is woundup.

14. In a fruit-picker, the combination of a hollow staff, a cutter atthe upper end of said staff arranged to deliver the fruit through saidstaff, and a fruit-receptacle comprising a body portion having ashoulder-strap and a sleeve extension opening into the side of said bodyportion a distance above the bottom thereof, said sleeve extensionhaving a thimble at its free end adapted to fit the lower end of thehollow staff.

In testimony whereof I have afiixed my signature in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

' CHARLES LARDNER. Witnesses:

EMIL NEUHART, MAY SEwnR'r.

